Plagueis

Darth Plagueis, commonly referred to as Plagueis, is a fictional Sith Lord in the Star Wars franchise. He is described as a master of the dark side who pursued the manipulation of life and death and the potential to bestow immortality on himself or others. In Star Wars Legends (the now non-canon expanded universe), Plagueis is presented as a powerful figure who trained Palpatine, who would later become Emperor Palpatine. The Legends novel Darth Plagueis (2012) expands his backstory across decades prior to the rise of the Galactic Empire and explores his political machinations, scientific experiments, and relationship with Palpatine.

In the canonical Star Wars film saga, Plagueis is referred to by Palpatine in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith as a former master whose failure and death at the hands of his apprentice helped shape Palpatine's rise to power. Beyond this allusion, canonical material provides limited detail about Plagueis, and the events of the Darth Plagueis novel are not considered canon after Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm. Nevertheless, the character is widely associated with the Sith's pursuit of immortality and mastery over death, and is often cited in discussions of the Sith's “Rule of Two.”

The name Plagueis has become a symbolic anchor in Star Wars lore for treachery, arcane knowledge, and the dangers of unchecked ambition. The character's legacy persists in various references, adaptations, and discussions within both the Star Wars Legends and canon materials.